Normally, this is the month when bird activity is at its greatest, with the spring migration of songbirds reaching its peak around May 12th. By the first week of May we should already be seeing numbers of warblers including PALM, PINE, YELLOW-RUMPED, BLACK-AND-WHITE and several other early arrivals. In fact, by late April this spring, Prince Edward Point already had YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS, PINE WARBLERS, BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLERS and PALM WARBLERS. However, all it takes is a drop in temperature to slow the northward migration of warblers, and many of those normally back by early May, could be a little later this year, or without the impressive waves we like to see as species trickle in day by day as weather conditions dictate. If the weather continues fine, the some 35 or so species will continue to pour in over the following two or three weeks, coming to an end with some of the traditionally later warbler migrants including BLACKPOLL WARBLERS, CANADA WARBLERS and MOURNING WARBLERS.
It will be noted that with few exceptions the May arrivals are insectivorous birds. No sooner do the unfolding leaves and opening blossoms become prone to the attack of insects, than the warblers and vireos arrive to offer protection to them. Often their diminutive size, activity, and the persistence at which they remain hidden at the tree tops create challenges to newcomers to the ranks of the birdwatching fraternity.
Wetlands around the county will be alive with songs from AMERICAN BITTERN, SORA, VIRGINIA RAIL, SWAMP SPARROW and MARSH WREN. The entire sparrow family will also be here and we can extend our search beyond the normal residents to some of the more uncommon species including CLAY-COLORED, HENSLOW’S, GRASSHOPPER, NELSON’S SHARP-TAILED and LECONTE’S.
May is also the month of courtship, which finds expression chiefly in song. Many species such as AMERICAN ROBINS, TREE SWALLOWS, KILLDEER and others are actively nesting this month. This is definitely the season to erect nesting boxes and brackets for those species we may wish to attract to our premises.
May is the birding month in Prince Edward County. Grab your binoculars, field guides and identification CDs. The peak of bird activity is here and waiting to be discovered. Take along a checklist and try for the “century run,” as you strive for 100 species or more during your day out birding in Prince Edward County.
Be sure to join us from May 11th to May 20th as we celebrate the return of the spring migrants with birding tours at Prince Edward Point . It is part of the PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY BIRDING FESTIVAL, so be sure to check out the schedule of birding hikes, banding demonstrations, art show, displays, workshops and everything else that is planned.
The Baltimore Oriole is expected to return to Prince Edward County by May 7th, but have been known to return in late April. Photo by Dave Bell
As always, I am interested in hearing what you see at your feeder as well as in your travels throughout the Quinte area this spring. You can e-mail me right from this LINK. As well, don’t forget to tune in to the QUINTE AREA BIRD REPORT every day for an update on what others have seen in the Quinte area.
(Photo credits and descriptions of photos can be seen by "mousing over" each photo. )
